Monday, 15 April 2013

Allenheads, Coast and Patch

13th, 14th& 15thApril.Having had such an active
week, I can’t believe seven days have passed since our island stranding.I’m cream crackered tonight, but life is for
making memories and I have made some great ones this last week.I’ve decided to combine this weekends
exploits in order to catch up.

Saturday saw Sam and me off with the RSPB gang to
Allenheads.Good to be in the uplands
despite the deep snow still lying in places.I went in almost up to the knees in one spot.Sadly, dead wildlife and sheep seemed to
reflect the harsh conditions of late.We started the day with Brown
Hare on the journey which I am sure only Sam and I saw, a round of Happy
Birthday for Sam, and then a couple of Frogs
one of whichlooked rather odd on the
snow.The area around Allenheads village
seemed birdless in comparison to a previous visit I had made with the group at
a similar time of year.However Song Thrush was in full song and Chaffinches called as we started the
steady climb.

Cold feet

Some folk seemed to set off at ramblers club pace, but the
serious birders took things far more gently.We were rewarded with a long distance sighting of Black Grouse (Ihope for
much better) and far more sightings of Red
Grouse.I reckon we saw at least
eight Common Snipe in display flight
and four or five Woodcock made brief
appearances.I’m pleased that we found
several Wheatear which I assume have
justarrived.A few saw passing Swallow, but I’m afraid I
was photographing that Frog in the
snow at the time.Meadow Pipits were numerous and the odd Skylark was heard.Three Golden Plover landed very close to us
and other birds I recall on the higher ground were Pheasant, Oystercatcher, Lapwing,Curlew and Stock Dove.We later had close sightings of Fieldfare and Mistle Thrush.

The area is good for photographs of course, but today’s
light was not good (at least not in the direction wanted), although we still
seemed to miss a few species in attempting to get some images.Someone pointed out a distant Common Buzzard
in an otherwise raptor free area, but
I never caught sight of it.Common Buzzard was seen on our return
journey.We walked along the river and
sat taking in the peace and quiet.Sam
and I agreed that you don’t need the area to be buzzing with birds to enjoy the
atmosphere and surroundings.If we had
walked a little further we would have found Dipper and Grey Wagtail.

Allenheads upland atmosphere

We avoided the café, but thankfully we couldn’t avoid the
very nice cake, as Sam was presented with a birthday cake capped with his
favourite species, a Whooper Swan.Everyone seemed to enjoy their piece of cake and the Whooper Swan
returned home with Sam.I think it is
made of marzipan.It was very kind of
Marie to make the cake, which I think reflected Sam’s popularity in the group
and gratitude for his voluntary input into it.A great day was had.

Sam puts in some field-craft practice before the presentation

The cake!

14th April.Sunday’s arrangements were made at a late stage, when we decided that a
trip down to the coast would be appropriate.We hoped for migrants.We hadn’t
expected the very strong wind!Little
was found although a start to the day brought a very brief sighting of Black Redstart.Despite the wind it was warm and hats and
gloves were not required.

The wetland and willows area at St Mary’s island was very
quiet apart from a nice sighting of Goldcrest.We crossed to the island before
the tide came in, where the highlight was a Common Seal.Walking to
Seaton Sluice wasn’t easy in the strong wind.We did eventually pick up four Sandwich Terns,
Kittiwakes, Lapwing, Purple Sandpiper, Turnstone, Redshank and Curlew.Meadow Pipits were again about in number.Sam picked up a couple of Swallows, but having been in
conversation I missed them!The Kestrel was flying along the cliff
edge.

A surreal moment of the day was when Sam and I heard a piper
playing on the cliffs at Seaton Sluice!I have to say he sounded quite good.After having our snack we decided to return home earlier than planned.

The Piper calls the tune

I later got txt from Sam telling me that there were Swallows
and Sand Martins over the lake.I
couldn’t resist and I was down there like a shot.I soon had my first Swallows and Sand Martins
on the year list.Obviously quite a bit
later than 2012.I missed the Shelduck
which were a patch tick for Sam and would have been for me too!Great
Spotted Woodpecker was heard and a few Goldeneye
remain on the lake.We looked at the
wooden beams that have been put in to prevent the Mute Swans from accessing the grassy area to be fed and noted that
the numbers of Canada Geese had dropped right down.The Mute
Swans were being fed in another area of course. The edge of the lake in places is nothing but
a dangerous and neglected disgrace and
I can’t help feeling it is simply a matter of time beforesomeone has an accident and falls into the lake.I am surprised that in this day and age, when
there are those who will jump at the first chance of taking legal action, that
the local authority are not keenly aware of the possibility of being sued in
the event of injury.The floating
reed-bed which I understood to have been renewed by April remains an eyesore,
with no hint of any work having been started.No doubt the weather will be blamed for the delay.

So on what had seemed a very quiet day we still ended up
with fifty-four species of bird on the day list.I decided to keep a search for Willow Warbler
on patch until another day!I was just
too tired.So, a great week that I have
really enjoyed to the full.Much madness
thrown in, but it would be a sad life without some madness. :-)

Tonight as I typed out the above report, a Blackbird was/is singing outside of the
window which I have now opened.I’ve
missed the Blackbird song so far this year, and bird song in general.

15th April.Monday included another walk on patch.Chiffchaffs were numerous
although the hoped for song of Willow Warbler wasn’t heard. One of the Great Spotted Woodpeckers showed closely and well.Numbers of Swallow have increased and between fifteen and twenty fed low over
the playing field and occasionally joined Sand
Martins feeding over the small lake.I also saw a lone House Martin
(my first of the year) flying with the Swallows
which I had been alerted to by Sam this morning.A couple of Lesser Black Backed Gulls were on the lake.Increasing amount of bird song today.Windy, but sunny and warm.

About Me

''Use the talents you possess - for the woods would be a very silent place if no birds sang except for the best.”-- Henry Van Dyke.
If you think the common can be as exciting as the rare then this blog may be for you, as it attempts to express my passion for birds and nature. All are part of my daily life and my home patch is all within walking distance of my home, although I often explore wider areas. I ought to be described as a naturalist rather than a birder. I believe that all who take an interest in nature will be well rewarded, but that such rewards ought not to be without reciprocation. My own contribution is made by volunteering, much of which is done in an attempt to help others share in the experience of the natural world. I attempt to reflect my interest in conservation and the fact that I believe the future of a natural world seriously in trouble relies very much relies on an openness of information to all responsible people. Responsible being the key word, and I therefore hope to keep the welfare of wildlife paramount at all times.